ST. JOHNSBURY – It was supposed to be a day-long courtroom battle of psychiatric experts en-route to a possible month-long jury trial in March.

But Patricia Prue wanted none of it.

With media, police, prosecutors, members of the public and three mental health experts prepared to testify about Prue's competency to stand trial waiting in the third floor courtroom at the Caledonia County Courthouse Thursday morning Prue met with her lawyer in a downstairs holding cell and told him to just take the deal.

"When I came here today and went and saw Miss Prue she asked if she could be sentenced today," said defense attorney Brian Marsicovetere of White River Junction to a stunned courtroom. "It had been an ongoing discussion."

Marsicovetere had become concerned for his client's mental health last November after she told him that she wanted to take the state's initial offer of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of St. Johnsbury resident Melissa Jenkins in March 2012. As a result of those concerns he had requested Prue undergo the competency evaluations.

Melissa Jenkins(Photo: Courtesy)

But on Thursday he told the court that he now believed Prue, 35, was competent to make that choice for herself.

"Essentially, the parts of the personality that were acting in my view, quite irrationally, have stated rational reasons for wanting to proceed with an agreement," he said.

A change of plea hearing was quickly arranged and at 12:38 p.m. Judge Robert Bent accepted the deal in which Prue pleaded guilty to first degree murder in exchange for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in exchange for a sentence of 4-5 years and guilty to kidnapping in exchange for a sentence of life in prison.

Prue also waived her rights to an automatic appeal and a pre-sentencing investigation, which would have delayed the sentencing for weeks. She also withdrew her claim of insanity and agreed to be formally sentenced Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Prue said little during the hearings but spoke clearly and deliberately when Bent asked why she was agreeing to the state's deal.

"Your honor, my answer to the question is that I would like to remain where I am, um, for the rest of my life," said Prue. "And that's why I'm doing it. Thank-you."

"Is that what has brought you to the point of entering these pleas?" asked Bent.

"Yes, sir," she replied

"An intent to remain where you are?"

"Yes, sir," answered Prue.

Bent then said he was convinced Prue's reasoning was rationally based.

"I'd note that Miss Prue's articulated reason for this plea is sensible and I have read, of course, an awful lot about Miss Prue over a period of time and this makes sense to the court as to the rationale for agreeing to these sentences which are at the harshest level that we can impose."

The sudden development of a plea deal seemed to catch both the prosecution and defense by surprise who quickly drew up the necessary paperwork for the deal during a break between hearings.

Caledonia County State's Attorney Lisa Warren said there was no indication in the days leading up to the hearing that a deal might be struck.

"Not from my perspective, not at all," said Warren after the change of plea. "We were planning to be here all day for a competency hearing.

As sudden as it was, Warren said she was thankful for the results.

"It just happened so quickly today I'm still digesting it but I'm very pleased," said Warren. "I know that it's been a long time for the family and the community awaiting this day so, I'm very happy with it."

Deputy State's Attorney Kirk Williams agreed.

"We are very pleased to have gotten a resolution to this case with a strong sentence expected to be imposed [Friday]," said Williams. "Mr. Prue's appeal is just starting so our work on the cases will be continuing."

Part of Prue's motivation in taking the deal was also to be allowed to resume written contact with her husband and now convicted co-defendant, Allen Prue, 32. The contact is part of the plea deal but is contingent on Department of Corrections policies regarding inmate contact.

Allen Prue has already been convicted and sentenced to life in prison for his role in the murder of Jenkins but his defense team has appealed his conviction. At his trial last October Allen Prue argued Patricia Prue was solely responsible for Jenkins' death.

Both Williams and Warren expressed gratitude to Walden resident Michael Roosevelt for his help as a full-time, unpaid intern on the Prue cases. Roosevelt's focus was on evidence inventory and cataloging.

"He's done tremendous work for us the past two years," said Williams.

Vermont State Police Capt. Robert Cushing, who helped lead the Jenkins murder investigation in 2012, said he was "very pleased" with the development and was looking forward to today's sentencing.

"We had a lot troopers who put their heart and soul into this and so we're happy with the sentence," said Cushing.

The competency hearing was supposed to begin at 9 a.m. but was delayed as both the prosecution and defense were called into the judge's chambers and then came back out and retreated to conference rooms for several minutes before returning for the hearing.

Bent gave the the first indication that something was changing when he entered and called the court room to order.

"I understand there have been some charges and developments," said Bent.

Marsicovetere then announced that his client wanted to take the state's offer of life without parole, that he would not be presenting any witnesses to argue that Prue was not competent and was prepared to accept the report prepared by the court's neutral evaluator, Psychiatrist Dr. Jonathan Weker of Montpelier.

"Judge, at this time we would not object to admission of Dr. Wekers report into evidence," said Marsicovetere. "We have no other evidence to offer today for the competency hearing and we have an agreement that we're working on putting together today."

Weker took the stand and briefly testified that he believed Prue was competent. Bent then ruled she was competent and the plea deal was made.

The competency hearing would have featured opinions on Prue's competency to stand trial by defense expert Philip Kinsler, a psychologist from New Hampshire; state's witness Dr. Robert Linder of Vermont and Weker.